As of Monday afternoon, no official statement had been released confirming Maher’s appointment [Getty]
Syrian media reported on Saturday the appointment of Maher al-Sharaa, brother of President Ahmad al-Sharaa, as Secretary-General of the Presidency, a key post within the Syrian presidential structure.
As of Monday afternoon, no official statement had been released confirming the appointment, which has already stirred controversy and revived concerns about the concentration of power within the ruling family.
The position of secretary-general is one of the most senior within the structure of the presidency, typically tasked with overseeing the internal administrative and organisational affairs of the presidential office.
The reported appointment sparked criticism among political commentators and civil society figures, who warned that the move could mark a return to a pattern of nepotism and dynastic control reminiscent of the previous regime, particularly sensitive given the ouster of former president Bashar al-Assad in December last year.
Syria remains mired in the consequences of its protracted conflict and economic collapse, with the post-Assad transition still unfolding in a fragile and uncertain political landscape. Many Syrians recall the authoritarian practices of the former regime, which relied heavily on family loyalty and tight inner circles to maintain control.
Syrian journalist and writer Ammar Dioub told The New Arab‘s Arabic language edition, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, that appointing Maher al-Sharaa was “unwise”, citing diplomatic norms that discourage placing close relatives in top government roles.
“The message this sends is problematic both domestically and internationally,” Dioub said. “It mirrors the way Bashar al-Assad once empowered his brother Maher, and risks alienating the factions and institutions that supported the current president’s rise.”
Dioub also warned that such appointments could set a precedent for other officials to follow suit, potentially weakening institutional credibility at a time when careful state-building is crucial.
Political analyst Mohammad Jazzar echoed the concerns, arguing that while such a move might go unnoticed in a stable democracy, “in Syria’s fragile transitional phase, every decision carries weight”.
He criticised the leadership’s apparent reluctance to trust individuals beyond its immediate circle, saying it reflects a deeper disconnect between the new administration and public expectations for reform and inclusivity.
An ‘understandable’ decisionÂ
In contrast, political researcher Abbas Sharifa defended the reported appointment, calling it understandable in a period of heightened sensitivity and risk.
“The transitional stage necessitates high levels of trust, especially when state secrets are involved,” Sharifa said. “If Maher is a trusted figure, the choice is pragmatic – even if not ideal in the eyes of the public.”
From a legal standpoint, Syrian lawyer Rami al-Khayyer clarified that there were no laws barring such appointments, though international standards and public expectations suggest otherwise.
“Trust in the new government is still forming,” al-Khayyer said. “The optics of this decision do not align with the spirit of the revolution or the hopes of Syrians who endured years of conflict for a different future.”
Lawyer Oday al-Shawwa agreed, noting that while the role was primarily “administrative”, the symbolic weight of such a decision cannot be underestimated.
“This is one of the most sensitive roles within the presidency,” he said. “Even if the intention is to ensure loyalty and efficiency, the public will judge it through the lens of past abuses of power,” al-Shawwa said.
The reported appointment follows Maher al-Sharaa’s exclusion from the cabinet announced on 29 March. He had previously served as health minister in the post-Assad transitional government, where he was well-regarded for his professional background as a physician.
